Textile package



March 13, 1956 F. HoNlG TEXTILE PACKAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Juni 25,1952 Zz W .F.lll lllf.

March 13, 1956 F. HoNlG TEXTILE PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25,1952 March 13, 1956 F, HONIG 2,738,144

TEXTILE PACKAGE Filed June 25, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 UnitedStates PatentO ice TEXTILE PACKAGE Frank Honig, Edgewood, R. i.

Application June 25, 1952, Serial No. 295,439

6 Claims. (Cl. 242-159) used in a continuous process, `directly from thedelivery f end of a filament-forming apparatus. In the manufacture ofstrand material, such as rayon tow or continuous filaments of othersynthetic material according to certain methods, at least, theconstituent filaments forming such a strand initially vary in length asmeasured between any two spaced points in the length of the strand; Thisis due to the practical difficulty of forming the larnents at exactlythe same linear velocity. Thus, if such a strand be gripped at twopoints spaced apart, it will be found that between said points some ofthe filaments will be substantially straightwhile others will be slackor loose.

It is a general practicel in the prior art to make uniform the lengthsof the several components of a multi-filament strand by stretching itina straight line between two points. After such treatment the severalfilaments constituting the strand will be of equal length when thestrand is straight. However, when such strand is wound into a package ona circular or other core, the filaments which are on the outercircumference of the yarn bunch will have to be longer when straightthan the filaments at the inner circumference of the yarn bunch in orderto equalize the convolutions in the wound package. This is also true atthe point where the yarn bunch is reciprocated or the distributionreversedat the ends of the distributing stroke in winding a package. Vltmay be explained that, the length variation due to convolute winding maybe as much as one inch or more inten feet of normally straight filamentin a yarn bunch comprising fifty filaments of three hundred denier.

A similar situation exists in the prior art when a tow of substantiallyVparallel filaments is twisted to form a twisted yarn. In such case someof the component filaments remain substantially straight inthe center ofthe twisted'yarn and act as a core, while others of the filaments of thesame bunch are woundvor twisted about the straight core filaments informing the yarn.

According to the present invention the filament length of a bunch ofyarn `or tow is circumferentially equalized in situ on a supporting core when it is wound to form a package, or about the cor'e filamentswhen it is wound or twisted to form a yarn, although "it is perhaps moreaccurate to say that, in accordance with the present invention, theindividual laments constituting a bunch are stretched to the variablelength requirement of each individual filament, in a convolution insitu, with relation to its specific position within said convolution andthus the 2,738,144 Patented Mar. 13, 1956 stresses in the convolutionsare equalized and the tensile strength of the yarn is increased.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for usein winding a self-sustaining package from strand material such as abovedescribed, thereby to insure that each individual constituent filamentof the tow or strand, no matter what particular position such filamentmay occupy in a given convolution, will be wound with a degree oftension such that each individual filament will eectively contribute toresist the bursting action of centrifugal force when the wound packageis rotated at high speed. It may be explained here that in the priorart, when a tow of uniform length filaments is twisted to forma twistedstrand or when such tow or strand is wound into convoluted form on acore, such of the constituent filaments which need to be longer, due totheir particular position in situ in the twisted or convoluted tow oryarn, will retain substantially their original length, while such of theconstituent filaments which should be shorter, due to their particularposition in situ in the twisted or convoluted tow or yarn, will crinkleor form small loops and will contribute practically nothing to thetensile strength of the twisted yarn or to the holding action of aconvolution wound on a core to resist the centrifugal bursting stresseswhen such wound core is rotated at very high speed, and which causeentanglement of the convolutions when unwinding from the core.

Another object is to provide for the attenuating or winding, or both, ofa strand comprising bunched or twisted filaments, staple fibers, orboth, at any stress from zero (practically speaking) to a stress justbelow the breaking point of said strand, While maintaining the initial,substantially uniform twist throughout the entire length of said strand,that is, without backing up the twist in the strand towards the supplypackage, which, otherwise, would cause localized twist gradient or twistvariation in sections of the strand.

Another object is to provide a resilient, positive, rolling grippingpoint for the strand or tow, and to locate said point in a neutralposition with respect to the longitudinal stresses in said strand ortow, so that it willalways maintain a positive gripping actionindependently'of any stress variation in the strand orl ltow beingoperated on, that is to say, to provide a constantly shifting,positively gripping pinch zone capable of holding a filament or strandwith any force from practical zero to the breaking point ofthe filamentor strand Without in any way damaging, as by abrasion, distortion, orotherwise, a continuous filament, and without removing any of the fibersfrom a strand comprising Staple fibers as by stripping, for example:- inother words, a positive pinch zone which is neutral in its action. Afurtherobject is to provide a mechanical embodiment adapted toaccomplish the desired stressing independently of any particular degreeof attenuation, or

to attain a desired attenuation independently of any particular degreeof stressing, but, in either case, to produce an equalization of thefilament length in the twisted or wound convolution as such or themaintenance of the initial distribution of twist, or both.

A further object is to provide for the winding of a self-supportingpackage on a tubular core, without head or fianges, in such a way thatsaid package may be mounted on and rotated by a spindle at a rotativespeed equivalent to a centrifugal disrupting force producedV by aperipheral speed of from say to 400 miles per hour, more or less, on theoutside periphery of the yarn package, without exploding said package.

Another object is to prevent waste formation from yarn madeof staplefibers, as by the stripping action of the prior art tension devices, andthus retain all fibers from the shortest to the longest, and to retainthe twist fully and in its original position in the yarn.

Another object is to provide means for high speed crystallineorientation of uniform degree of filatmentary materials, capable ofbeing so oriented, by means of attenuation without in any way damaging,as by abrasion for example, the delicate filaments.

Another object is to provide for the high speed drafting of filaments,pretwisted to form a strand, while maintaining a substantially uniformtwist in the drawn section throughout the entire length of said strand.

A further object is to produce equalized stresses in filaments toproduce a more uniform and stronger end product at a substantiallyhigher speed, lower cost, and with less materials than heretoforepossible with prior art methods and devices.

Other objects and advantages will become clear and apparent to thoseexperienced in the prior art as the description of certain selectedembodiments of the invention proceed.

Novel apparatus, in accordance with the invention and for use inattaining same on all of the above objects, may comprise a single set ofstrand-controlling rolls or a plurality of such sets, according to theeffect which is desired. In apparatus employing a single set of rollsthe strand approaches the rolls at low and sometimes variable stresses,and is drawn away from the rolls at a substan` tially higher and at alltimes at a substantially more uniform stress, the amount of stress beingpredetermined by suitable adjustmentprovided therefor.

In apparatus employing successive sets of rolls, the

strand, as it approaches the rolls, is drawn in at low .l

stress, either variable or uniform, and is delivered by the rolls atsubstantially uniform and, if desired, at near zero stress.

The apparatus employing one set of rolls is usually employed when acomparatively small percentage of linear attenuation is desired,primarily to equalize any length variation in the individual filatmentsof which the strand Vis. comprised, such as required in a strand ofcontinuous filaments having uniform length when straight or when it isdesired to discharge or withdraw the strand at a uniform andpredetermined higher stress than that at which itis received, andsimultaneously to maintain substantially uniform twist throughout theentire length of the strand, without backing up the twist towards thesupply end of the strand being operated on, or when it is desired toprevent waste formation of staple fiber yarns or damage, as by abrasionfor example, to continuous filament.

This form of the apparatus is used, in general, in situations where thefilament, tow, yarn or strand is wound up into a package at the take-upend of continuous yarn spinning apparatus, or re-wound from one type ofpackage to another type of package used or desirable in processing suchfilament, tow, yarn or strand.

When prior art devices are used in such processing, the filament, tow orstrand is usually provided with suitable protective size or othersurfaceY additions to prevent damage to the filaments or strand, or toagglutinate the parallel filaments in a zero twist tow, these additionsbeing subsequently removed from the yarn, as by boiling for example.

When the apparatus of the present invention is used for such processing,no size or otherV surface protecting addition or agglutination isrequired, and a zero twist tow or a bunch-twisted strand may be operatedon at substantially higher speeds than possible with prior art devicesand without the costly addition of agglutinating, sizing or othersurface-protecting materials. Moreover, by the use of the presentinvention, a substantially stronger yarn can be produced; thus, due tothe absence of damage r stripping a yarn is produced having tensilestrength of from to 80% higher than that produced with the prior artdevices. The higher tensile strength is further enhanced by the factthat with the use of this invention substantially-al1 the staple Alibers are retained in the yarn and a uniform twist gradient can bemaintained throughout the entire length of a twisted strand while at thesame time substantially higher stresses may be used in winding a packagefor use in subsequent operations. rThus, it has been made possible towind headless packages of the self-supporting type with such stressesand uniformity, without damage to the filaments in the strand or tow;that the package may be mounted on high speed spindles for twistingpurposes and operated on at speeds of, for example, between 15,000 and35,000 R. P. M., with tie outside diameter of the package of suchdimensions as will produce a peripheral speed of, for instance, from 150to 400 miles per hour, without centrifugally exploding the package,

It is also possible to equalize the length of the component filaments ina zero twist tow of continuous filaments, wind it into a headlesspackage with such stresses as are needed to resist the centrifugal,exploding force at speeds above mentioned, and to twist the initiallyZero twist tow at such high speeds in a single operation, with outsurface-protecting size on the filaments, and to provide a finished yarnhaving higher tensile strength and greater twist uniformity than it hasbeen possible to obtain, so far as is known, by the art of any priorart, method or device.

As above noted, the apparatus which comprises but a single pair of rollsis particularly useful in situations where only a comparatively smallpercentage of attenuation is desired in a limited number of thecomponent filaments, primarily to equalize the lament length in theparticular position it has in a given convolution, in situ, and wherethe operation is of a winding or rewinding nature in connection withwinding yarn made of staple fibers of any kind where the use of theinvention will eliminate or reduce fiber stripping from the yarn. it is,however, not to be confused with tension devices in general,notwithstanding the fact that it does produce certain tensional stressesin the strand-like material drawn therethrough.

it will be clear to those experienced in the related arts that a twistedstrand or a core wound with such tension and in such a way as hereindescribed will be very compact, dense or hard and contain less air spacebetween the twisted filaments or the wound convolutions than those madeaccording to the prior art procedure. For example, when the twisted yarnor wound core is made according to the present invention, the ratio ofsolid lilaments or convolutions in the net cubic content of the yarn orpackage will be about to 75% solids and 25% to 40% voids in case ofrayon made by the viscose process and comprising from about forty toninety filaments in the strand or tow; from about 72% to 80% solids and18% to 20% voids for a continuous filamentyarn or tow of the kind knownas Daeron and having between thirty and fifty filaments in the strand ortow; from about 75% to 86% solids and 14% to'25% voids for a continuousfilament, tow or strand of nylon and having be` tween thirty and fiftyfilaments in the tow or strand. Other materials and filament count willhave similar high density.

When a very substantial attenuation is desired, such as, for example, inorienting the crystalline structure of a filamentary material, strand ortow or in mercerization of yarn, or when the desired attenuation is onthe order of, for example, from 50% to 500%, more or less, or if thespeed of attenuation or crystalline orientation is high, for instance,of the order of about 2,000 to 10,000 feet per minute, the apparatuswhich comprises a plurality of pairs of rolls is desirable.

For example, the filamentary material known as Nylon may be orientationdrawn by using the device of the present invention at speeds above, forexample, 5,000 feet per minute, with more uniform size and better dyeingproperties than when orientation drawn with the prior art devices' wherethe drawing speed is limited to below 2,000 feet per minute.

The ability of the apparatus of the present invention to retain a giventwist at a given longitudinal position of a yarn, without hacking uptwist into localized sections of the yarn, is particularly advantageousin the continuous mercerization of cotton yarn. Such uniformity of twistis retained in the entire length of a single component cotton fiber aswell as the strand as a whole when this invention is used to produce thestresses required in mercerization.

Either form of the apparatus herein disclosed may be usedinterchangeably with the other, but one may be preferable to the otherfor specific purposes. Essentially the filament or strand, in passingthrough the apparatus which comprises but one pair of rolls, iswithdrawn under some stress, while in the other type the filament orstrand may be discharged under zero stress (practically speaking) if sodesired. For winding packages to be used with high speed twistingspindles, for example, a package wound under considerable windingtension stress is desired. For winding packages to be used for dyeingpurposes, for example, a package wound with almost zero stress isdesired. And, as has been stated, a package may be wound, with the useof this invention, with any stress from practical zero to just below therupture point of the filamentary material.

This present invention may be used in combination with a suitablefilament, spinning or extrusion process or device of the continuoustype, that is, where the filamentary material is extruded throughsuitable orifice, spinneret, etc. and simultaneously carried through theseveral desired steps or treatments, and finally the filament is woundup onto a core to form a package. In such continuous process, with theuse of this invention, the component laments in a strand are equalizedin length when straight, and the strand of zero twist filaments is woundon a tubular core to form a headless package of the desired size, witheach individual component filament of the bunch stretched to thevariable length requirement of its particular position in theconvolution on the core and so equalize the stresses that such headlesspackage, wound in conjunction with such continuous process or device,may be used directly on a high speed twisting spindle, without the needof rewinding, and subsequently twisted at the peripheral speeds abovementioned, without exploding. It will be clear to those experienced inthe related arts that the first action is to stretch the filamentscomprising the bunch beyond the elastic recovery range to producepermanent elongation and length uniformity of the component lilamentswhen straight. it will also be clear that after this action there is norecovery to the original length, and that the filaments thus elongatedwill remain permanently so elongated. And, as has been stated, in thesecond action, the bunch as a unit is stretched within its elastic limitto equalize the stresses in the convolutions in situ by elongating someof the filaments more than others as may be required by their particularposition in the convolution. Since this action takes place within therecovery range of the elastic limit of the filaments there will be alength recovery to the original elongation uniformity produced in thefirst action at a point on the core and at the time the convolutions aretaken off the core. When this second action is properly performed inaccordance with this invention, such elastic length recovery can clearlybe seen as the convolution is unwound from the core.

When the novel method herein disclosed is applied to a continuousextruding process, the Zero twist multifilament strand from thefilament-forming apparatus is wound directly into a package (withoutformation of a balloon) by means of a conventional, uniform surfacespeed winding device to form a headless package with either square endsor taper ends, as-desired. In so doing, the individual componentfilaments of the strand are not damaged by abrasion and the strand ofzero twist filaments is wound with the variable length requirement ofthe individual filaments in a convolution and thus produce the equalizedstresses in the wound package so that such package may be used directlyfrom the continuous spinning or extruding process in a high speedtwisting operation without exploding such package as by centrifugalforce, as will hereinafter be described.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a more or less diagrammatic front elevation, showing thatembodiment of the invention in which a single pair of rolls is used, theapparatus being illustrated as in use for a re-winding operationsuitable for the preparation of a package subsequently for use to bemounted on a high speed twisting spindle or similar apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrative of a situation in which the presentinvention is of particular utility;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevation of apparatus according to thepresent invention wherein two pairs of rolls are employed, the devicebeing illustrated in connection with a high speed twisting spindle andadapted to produce a high percentage of attenuation, such as may be usedin orienting the molecules of the filaments of the strand;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the invention as applied to acontinuous process of yarn manufacture; and

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the package.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates acondition which commonly occurs in thepreparation of synthetic filamenttow. Three spinnerets E are shown as extruding the filaments I, N and L,respectively, which pass between the rolls R1 and R2 and are then woundon the winding spindle K to form the package W. Among the threefilaments illustrated, the one designated J is taut between thespinneret and its point of contact with the roll R1, and in consequencethis filament is wound under constant tension into the package W.Filament N is not taut between the spinneret and the roll R1, while thefilament L is still more slack. Consequently, the lamentsN and L, aswound into the package W, are not under the same tension as the filamentI and if, at some later time, the package W is rotated at high speedonly the filament J is effective to resist centrifugal bursting forces.The apparatus illusrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is especially designed forcorrecting the above difficulty by stretching the filament bunch beyondthe elastic limit to produce uniform filament lengths while the bunch isstraight by means of permanent elongation, which uniformity remainspermanent until changed by the application of another force, while theapparatus illustrated in Figs. l and 2 is especially designed to changethe length uniformity of the filaments comprising such bunch temporarilyand while the bunch is wound in a convoluted form on a core bystretching the bunch within its elastic limit on the core in situ toproduce variable elongation in the component filaments as required bytheir respective positions in the convolution and thus produce asubstantially uniform tension in the individual filaments comprisingsuch bunch in the convoluted form. When all of the filaments are thuswound under substantially the same tension, they all effectively andconcomitantly resist centrifugal bursting force so that the package isable to withstand high speed rotation without disintegrating.

Referring to Fig. l, the convolute tension equalizing unit Q is shown ascomprising a yarn-receiving roll 10 and a yarn-discharging roll 1l. Roll10 is provided with a resilient, yarn-contacting covering or tire i2(Fig. 2), preferably made of some natural or synthetic rubber compound,cork or similar material, and which is fixed to the roll 10 by anyconventional means.

The roll 11 is usually .made of hardened steel or `some equivalentmaterial, and may be chromium plated on its periphery to preventcorrosion which would damage the delicate laments coming in contacttherewith. Roll 11 is rotatably mounted on a double-row, anti-frictionbearing 13 (Fig. 2) which has its inner stud 1.4 presstitted into onearm'lS of a balance scale beam 15a.

The roll is rotatably mounted on a double-row, anti-friction bearing 16(Fig. 2) with its inner stud i7 press-fitted into an eccentric 1S. Theeccentric 13 is rotatable in the arm 19 of balance scale beam hcarrangement is such that by rotating the eccentric 18 the axis of theroll 10 may be moved toward or from that of roll 11 so that theresilient tire 12 of roll 10 may be pressed into pinching relation withthe periphery of roll 10 to provide a pinch or nip point P (Fig. l) forthe yarn Y.

The balance scale beam is freely pivoted on a stationary stud 20 rivetedat its forward end into a rigid housing 21 (Fig. 2). A screw 22, havingthreaded engagement with an 'axial bore in the rear end of stud 20,serves to fasten a cupped back cover plate 23 to the housing 21. Theaxes of the rolls l0 and 11 are in the same plane with the axis of stud2t) so that the pinch point P is in a neutral position with respect toany movement or lack of movement of the scale beam 15. Variation inpinching pressure between the rolls or variation in stresses in the yarnY, as it passes through this point, will have no effect on the movementor lack of movement of the scale beam 15.

The rolls 10 and 11 have elongate hub portions 1t)a and 11a,respectively, which pass freely through horizontally elongate slots inthe housing 21.

An arm 24 (Figs. l and 2) is pivoted on stud 2t) at a point between thescale beam 15 and the housing 2l.. The free lower end of arm 24 isprovided with a friction brake lining 25 (Fig. l) which may bear againstthe periphery of hub 1lia of roll l1, being urged toward said hub by acompression spring 26 whose lower end is supported on a fixed lug 27projecting from the housing 21.

Compression spring 26 has a limited amount of e.- tension so that itwill follow the swinging movement of scale beam 15 with decreasing,resilient pressure of the brake lining against the hub l1a (up to theend of its limited movement) when the movement of said beam isclockwise. Beyond that point the hub 11a will no longer Contact thebrake lining of the arm 24. When the motion of the beam 15 iscounterclockwise, the arm 24 will follow such motion with increasingresilient pressure of the brake lining against the hub 11a of roll 11.Of course any other conventional means for applying the retarding orbraking action on the roll may be used, in lieu of the spring and brakelining just mentioned.

The balance beam 15 is provided with a lug 28 near its central portion(Fig. l) into which is fastened a spring 29 of at steel. The other end29a of spring 29 projects through an opening (not shown) in the rim ofthe cover 23 and serves as an indicator of the pressure or load on thescale beam i5. Indicator scale graduations are formed on a part of cover23, as indicated at 30. An adjusting thumb screw 31 is provided forapplying any desired load within the capacity of the particularembodiment to the scale beam 1S, and (by reason of the retarding actionof the brake lining) to the strand material passing between the rolls 10and l1.

The housing 21 is provided with an integral lug 32 (Fig. l) whichsupports a freely rotating, grooved idler roll 33 adapted to guide theyarn Y away from the mechanism.

A freely rotating yarn-guiding, grooved idler roll 34 (Fig. l), carriedby a conventional reciprocating distributor arm (not shown) of a winder,serves to distribute the yarn Y as it is being wound on a headless core36 to form the desired type and size of yarn package indicated at 37.The supply package is indicated at 3 8 and it-rnay be a cone, as shown,or any other form of supply package vdesirable or convenient. Any othersuitable supply may be employed. For example, the yarn may be receiveddirectly from the filament-forming apparatus.

As illustrated, the yarn is taken from a non-rotating package over-endthrough a conventional guide 39 fast to housing 21. Thisimparts a slighttwist, one twist for each convolution taken from package 38. The yarnwraps the roll 10 with about one-halt` a turn, then passes between therolls at the pinch point P, and then wraps roll 11 with about one-half aturn. It then passes up over the grooved guide idler 33 and distributingidler 3i, and is wound up on core 36 which is driven by any conventionalwinding machine mechanism (not shown). To permit rapid threading of thedevice, the rolls 10 and lll are provided with rounded taper front ends,as indicated at 10b and 11b (Fig. 2).

ln operation the pinch point P (Fig. l) is at a neutral or zero point,that is to Say, at the fulcrum of the beam 15. In. effect, the tangentpoints of the yarn with rolls 10 and 11, indicated at 10C and 11C, denethe leverage length of the scale beam 15 through which the stresses arebalanced by the yarn being operated on.

By this arrangement a gradually increasing or decreasing retarding forceis applied by the rolls 11 and 10. The change in the retarding force isvery smooth and gradual and yet so sensitive in response to rapid stresssurges that winding speeds well above 3,000 feet per minute may beemployed. Very satisfactory packages may be made with as high as 10,000feet per minute winding velocity when winding certain strand materials.

For example, assuming that the desired loading stress has been set bythe screw 31, the delivery portion Ya or the yarn will be pulled throughthe device under that stress. Should there be, for some reason, anincrease in the stress at Ya it will lift up or rock the roll assemblyabout pivot 20 clockwise and thus reduce the normal retarding force ofthe friction brake lining 25.

On the other hand, should there be a stress increase (resistance totravel) in the incoming yarn end Yb, this part of the yarn will likewiserock the roll assembly clockwise about pivot 20 and reduce the normalretarding force of the friction brake lining 25. Thus, stress uniormitymay be controlled by either or both the incoming or outgoing portions ofthe strand material, independently of one another or jointly, as thecase may be.

Since the yarn is held by the pinching action of the rollers in arolling contact (as contrasted with a frictional pressure), located in aneutral position, any twist initial in the yarn will remain undisturbed,that is to say, it will not be backed up towards the supply package 38,as happens when a twisted strand is passed between frictional retardingelements, or an element with 360 or more degrees of wrapping thereon;thus, the initial distribution of twist isk maintained in the yarn ofwound package 37.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. l and 2, the operating power istransmitted from the driven core 36 through the yarn end Ya. Thisarrangement is, in general, used when the attenuation of the filament isto take place for temporary circumferential length equalizationpurposes, or when the total attenuation is held to a low point, sayabout 1% to 5%, more or less, depending on the size and on theparticular material which is to be equalized.

When using this arrangement, the yarn being discharged is always undersome stress, depending on the adjustment. lt is thus particularlyadvantageous for use in re-winding the yarn from one form of package toanother form of package where some stress in the package is desirable,such, for example, as when the package is to be used in subsequenttwisting operations at very high speeds.

For some purposes, particularly such as package dyeing of the yarn, avervlow or near zero tension stress in 9 winding the packages is moredesirable. For such or similar purposes the orienting unit O of Figs. 4and 5 is particularly desirable for, in this arrangement, the rolls arepositively driven from some source other than the stresses in the yarn,and the yarnmay be discharged from the last of the pairs of rolls in theseries, with practically zero tensional stresses if so desired.

In Fig. 4 the apparatus is shown in cooperation with a high speedtwisting spindle of the kinetic type, so called, and is suitted for themolecular orientation of certain materials used for textile ,and similarpurposes at high attenuation and while the strand is in pre-twistedcondition, that is, where the orienting attenuation is in the proximityof, for example, from about 100% to about 500%, more or less, of theoriginal length of the strand.

Referring to Fig. 4, pairs of stress-controlling rolls are arranged toact seriatim on the yarn, being mounted in a housing H carried by frameF. This particular embodiment, like the embodiment shown in Fig. 1,comprises a hard-surfaced drawing roll 41 and a relatively soft-surfacedpinching roll 42, with the yarn Y pinched therebetween at P. The roll 42serves the same purpose as roll of Fig. 1, and its supporting stud issimilarly transversely adjustable by means of an eccentric 181* (Fig.4). The second pair of rolls 41au and 42L is of similar construction,these rolls pinching the yarn at a point indicated at P2. Thepinch-adjusting eccentric for roll 42a is indicated as 18b and needs nofurther description.

Preferably the drawing rolls 41 and 41a are positively driven at theproper or desired peripheral speed. A difference in peripheral speedbetween these rolls produces the desired molecular orientation, by meansof attenuation, in the material of the strand within a space indicatedat S located between the two drawing rolls 41 and 41a. It will be notedthat orientation space S is comparatively short, and thus the operationis limited to a relatively short or localized length of the filament.Such short, localized orientation length will produce a substantiallymore uniform drawn filament than possible with other conventionalmethods.

Referring to Fig. 5, the drawing roll 41 is fast on one end of shaft 43which is mounted for rotation in antifriction bearings 44 and 45.Between these bearings a gear `46 isA fast on shaft 43 and receivesdriving power from a gear 47 (Fig. 4) which is slidably mounted on aspline shaft 48 which may run the length of a frame designed to supporta pluralityr of identical devices 0. The spline shaft may be driven atone of its ends by any suitable means (not shown) in the directionindicated by the arrow.

The drawing roll 418L is mounted, similarly to roll 41, on a shaft 43aturning in bearings44a and 458' and is provided with a driving gear 46awhich meshes with the gear 46. Gear 46a is smaller than gear 46 and thusit will rotate the roll 41a at a higher angular velocity than that ofroll 41. The resultant greater surface speed of roll 41a as comparedwith that of roll 41 (these rolls being of equal diameter) produces thedesired orienting attenuation in the strand material. By changing gears46 and 46i any desirable orienting attenuation may be produced in theyarn being operated on within the capacity of the particular embodiment.

It will be noted that the yarn makes only a single wrap about each rollof each set at least 180, and as to rolls 41 and 41a the single wrap isvery substantially in excess of 180 but less than 360. grip of each rollupon `the yarn is so pronounced that it is not necessary to apply apinching pressure at the points P and P2 such as would appreciablyflatten the yarn, notwithstanding that only a single wrap of less than360 is made by the yarn on any of the rolls.

The drive mechanism above described is mounted in a housing H which isprovided with. a cover 49` suitably fastened with screws (not shown)tothe housing H. The

Thus the frictional l chamber 50 (Fig. 5) forrned by the housing andcover is partly filled with suitable lubricating oil to permit highspeed operation of the device. Packing 51, 51a or the like is providedto prevent the lubricant from escaping.

The housing is provided with a base portion 52 (Fig. 4) adapted forslidably securing it to the main frame F. The main frame F has bearings(not shown) for the shaft of a conventional surface-driving drum D,rotated as indicated by the arrow, which surface drives the takeuppackage 37a, thus re-winding theoriented yarn Yo onto the headlesstake-up core 36a. The yarn is distributed in winding by the groovedidler 34a which is reciprocated axially of the package by the usualtraverse means (notshown) conventional to package wnders.

In customary prior practice in producing filamentary materials in whichmolecular orientation, as by attenuation, is practiced, the material isextruded or otherwise produced in the form of individual filaments whichare grouped in parallel relation into a unit called tow, and theorientation drawing is made in the tow form, that is, without anybunching twist of the componentlaments prior to the orientation drawing.However, after the orientation drawing the parallel oriented filamentsare twisted together with a low twist, for example, about 1 to 3 twistsper linear inch to form a strand. The term low twist, as hereinemployed, is intended to designate any twist within the range havingzero twist (parallel filaments) as one limit and 3 twists per linearinch as the other limit.

In such procedure, in the priorv art, the orientation drawing speed islimited to less than about 2,000 feet per minute for the orientedfilaments, and the twisting speed to about 7500 R. l. M. for most of thepresently known filaments such, for example, as the material known as Ynylon and the like.

These operations of orientation drawing of the parallel filaments andthe subsequent bunch twisting of the drawn ilaments are performedseriatim, as a continuous opera` tion, in which the above-mentionedspeed limitation and the excessive rupture of filaments, when drawn in aparallel relation or tow form, make for a very expensive and', Theorientation drawn filaments, bunch twisted with the conventional ringand traveler, and the lubricant used in connection with such a twisting;

wasteful procedure.

ring, result in much spoiled yarn due to contamination.

A kinetic type twisting spindle, such as above-memtioned, is fullycapable of handling zero twist or parallel' filaments in tow form whensupplied from a package modified lengths, as described with respect tolFigs. l, 2

and 3, and then to mount such package 37 on the spindle KS (Fig. 4)which is provided with an impeller 53 and twist block 54, the latterbeing carried by the housing H.

The tow of parallel filaments (Fig. 4) is conducted through the twistblock S4 over the idler roll 42; is pinched at P between the idler roll42 and draw roll 41; passes through the short draw space S and isconducted over the second or high speed draw roll 412; is

' pinched between the latter and the pinch roll 42a; passes over thedistributing idler 34a, and is then wound on core 36a' to form thepackage 37a.

A desirable usual operating speed of spindle KS, for packages of about 2to 3 4pounds weight, is about 20,000 R. P. M., and, as the balloon B iscarried about by the spindle, the parallel filaments in the tow willreceive a bunching twist at the perpendicular section marked TT,

l and this bunch-twisted tow is then orientation drawn` at the space S,as has beendescribed.

By bunch twisting the parallel filaments as the first stepof theorientation drawing and drawing the bunchtwisted filaments in acontinuous operation simultaneously it is possible to increase theorientation drawing speed to between 5,000 and 10,000 feet per minute,eliminating breakage of the filaments and eliminating contamination ofthe product and consequent waste. rfhere is an overall improvement inincreased production by the use of the present invention, as comparedwith prior art procedure, of from about 250% to 500%; there iselimination of contaminated product; and there is a to 80% increase intensile strength of the yarn due to the fact that yarn produced by theuse of this invention comprises filaments of suitable length adjusted tothe length requirement of the individual filament in relation to itsspecific position within the twisted bunch; it is more unlform in twistper unit length and the component filaments are not damaged as byabrasion. it should again he noted that the length adjustment of thefilaments with respect to their specific positions in the twisted bunchis made A while the bunch is in a straight line while it is drawn beyondthe elastic recovery range and that the subsequent winding of suchtwisted bunch into a package is made with stresses within the elasticrecovery range of the twisted bunch. Therefore, it will be clear thatthe length adjustment required for the convolutions on the core isrecovered on unwinding from such core while the length adjustment due totwisting is not recoverable under any condition. That is to say, whensuch twisted bunch is unwound from the core the twisted bunch or yarnwill be substantially straight again.

In contradistinction, in the prior art, a non-recoverable lengthadjustment is made after the bunch has been wound on the core, usuallyby some form of heat treatment known as twist setting, in which caseboth length adjustments, one that isY required at the bunch twisting,and the one required for the convolute winding on the core, are madesimultaneously but as a separate operation from twisting. Such twist-setyarn, on unwinding from the package, will be bent, coiled or kinky aswill be understood by those skilled in this art.

The kinetic type spindle hereinabove referred to is capable ofwithdrawing the tow so as to produce l twist in l inch at the rate of20,000 inches per minute. By making, for example, a 200% orientationattenuation between the two sets of drawing rolls, the l twist per inchis reduced to 1 twist in 3 inches, and the discharge speed of drawn andoriented filament will be at the rate of 60,000 inches per minute by theroller 41a.

In the prior art, and for the large package above mentioned, thetraveler and ring limit the discharge speed to about 7500 turns perminute, and with l twist in 3 inches the production or discharge speedis 22,500 inches per minute.

With a 200% orientation draw, the production will be thus increased, bythe use of the present invention, by about 266%, and with a higherorientation draw this increase will be proportionately higher.

The housing H is so constructed that it may be slid sidewise out of theway axially along spline shaft d3 when a new package is to be placed onthe spindle KS, and slide back and locked in operative relation with thespindle during operation. Any suitable conventional device serving suchpurpose may be used for the purpose.

If desired, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 may be used in cooperationwith an extruding orifice or orifices to draw parallel filaments or towdirectly from the filament-forming apparatus instead of from thetwisting spindle KS as shown. However I have found that if the parallelfilament tow is pre-twisted into a strand-like unit and this strand isthen drawn for orientation or other purposes, a substantially betteryarn can be produced at a much higher drawing speed and substantiallylower cost.

Fig. 6 diagrammatically illustrates the utility of the present inventionin the preparation, for example, of twoply synthetic filament tire cord.In this diagrammatic view the character M designates a zero twiststrand, for example, of rayon tow coming from any suitable source ofsupply, for example, directly from the filament-forming apparatus, thisstrand being of substantially zero twist and being delivered to a unit Qsuch as that shown in Fig. l of the drawings, which operates to adjustthe lengths due to convolute formation on the core and thus equalize thelongitudinal stresses on the filaments. The strand is then wound withuniform surface speed drive to form the package 37 on a headless core;the winding of this package may be, for example, at a linear windingspeed of 600 ft. per minute, and the strand is wound into the packagewith substantially zero twist.

Packages 37, as thus formed, may then be mounted on kinetic spindles KS,two such packages 37X and 375 being Shown, the strand from each packagebeing delivered with a certain degree of twist, for example, 14 turnsper inch, more or less, the two twisted strands being received by atraverse guide G1 which distributes the strands in parallel side-by-siderelation with a self-supporting wind to form the surface-driven packagei3?. Such a package may, for example, be of an external diameter of 7%inches and of a length of 14 inches and wound on a 21/2 inch diametertube. The twisting operation, to which the strands are subjected as theyare unwound from the packages 37X and 375/, may be carried out at atwisting Speed of the order of 17,500 R. P. M. without danger ofbursting the packages. The package 137 of two-strand, parallel pliedmaterial may then be mounted on another kinetic spindle KS2 from whichthe material is delivered while twist is imparted to it to form a cabledstrand, the speed of cabling twist being of the order, for example, of10,000 R. P. M. This cabled strand is delivered to the orienting unit Owhich acts to set the twist by means of attenuation just beyond theelastic recovery range. The strand Yo, delivered from the orienting unitO, is then distributed by a traverse guide G2 to form a package 140which may, for example, be of the same size as the package 137, beingwound on a headless core or tube. This specific example indicates onespecific field of utility of invention, and illustrates the extremelyhigh production rate which is possible by its use.

While certain desirable embodiments have herein been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that the invention may have variousembodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: l

1. A textile package comprising a core and convolutions of textilestrand wound on the core, the strand being a multi-filament tow whoseconstituent filaments, before the strand was wound and while the strandwas straight, were substantially parallel and of equal length, all ofthe filaments of the wound strand, wherever located within a givenconvolution, being under the same tension, the tensioning stress beingwithin the elastic limit of the filamentous material.

2. A textile package comprising a core and convolutions of textilestrand wound on the core, the strand being a multi-filament tow whoseconstituent filaments, when the strand is straight, are substantiallyparallel and of equal length, those filaments which are located at theouter circumference of a given convolution of the package being ofgreater length than those filaments which are located at the innercircumference of said convolution, all of the filaments, whereverlocated within a given convolution, being under the same tension, thetensioning stress being such as to elongate the strand but less than theelastic limit of any of the constituent filaments, whereby the packageis capable of effectively resisting centrifugal bursting force when thepackage is rotating at a surface speed from to 400 miles per hour.

3. A woundV package of multi-filament strand which prior to winding andwhile straight is composed of filaments which are all of the samelength, the strand being devoid of tendency to contract in length, allof the larnents in the wound package, whether located near the center ornear the periphery of the package, being elongated as compared withtheir length in the strand before winding, the elongation of all of thefilaments being within their elastic recovery range so that when thestrand is unwound it resumes its initial length and straight condition.

4. A textile package according to claim 1, wherein the lengths of thelaments which constitute a given convo lution differ according to thelocation of the respective filaments within the convolution, all of thefilaments wherever located within a given convolution being under thesame tension, the tension being below the elastic limit of each of thelarnents whereby the strand when unwound from the package resumes itsoriginal length and is straight and devoid of kinks.

5. A textile package according to claim 1, wherein the strand beforewinding is a tow of approximately zero twist.

6. A textile package comprising a core and convolutions of textilestrand wound on the core, the strand being a multi-filament tow whoseconstituent filaments, before the strand was wound and while the strandwas straight, were substantially parallel and of equal length, thelengths 14 of the filaments which constitute a given convolutiondiffering according to the location of the respective lament within theconvolution, all of the laments wherever located within a givenconvolution being under the same UNITED STATES PATENTS 653,832 Tymesonet al. July 17, 1900 1,647,535 McKean Nov. 1, 1927 1,966,507 LangstrethJuly 17, 1934 2,289,232 Babcock July 7, 1942 2,372,627 Goggin et al Mar.27, 1945 2,464,502 Hall et al Mar. 15, 1949 2,542,973 Abernethy Feb.`27,1951 2,581,922 Spencer Jan. 8, 1952 2,586,123 Truitt Feb. 19, 1952FOREIGN PATENTS 4,078 Great Britain, Feb. 17, 1911 371,910 Great BritainMay 2, 1932 391,291 Germany Mar. 1, 1924 671,781 Germany Feb. 13, 1939

1. A TEXTILE PACKAGE COMPRISING A CORE AND CONVOLUTIONS OF TEXTILESTRAND WOUND ON THE CORE, THE STRAND BEING A MULTI-FILAMENT TOW WHOSECONSTITUENT FILAMENTS, BEFORE THE STRAND WAS WOUND AND WHILE THE STRANDWAS STRAIGHT, WERE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL AND OF EQUAL LENGTH, ALL OFTHE FILAMENTS OF THE WOUND STRAND, WHEREVER LOCATED WITHIN A GIVENCONVOLUTION, BEING UNDER THE SAME TENSION, THE TENSIONING STRESS BEINGWITHIN THE ELASTIC LIMIT OF THE FILAMENTOUS MATERIAL.